Even though the Detroit Lions are well below expectations with a 4-7 record, Calvin Johnson and Matthew Stafford are just off pace to break NFL records.

Johnson, who was named NFC offensive player of the month for November, is threatening Jerry Rice’s single-season receiving yards record set in 1995. The Lions wide receiver has 1,257 receiving yards through 11 games and is on pace for 1,828 which is 20 yards shy of the record.

Stafford, who threw for 5,028 yards last season, is on pace for 4,987. He has 3,429 yards so far. If he reaches the 5,000-yard mark he would be just the second player in NFL history to do so and the first to do it in consecutive years. Drew Brees did it in 2008 and 2011.

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Also Stafford is on pace to shatter the passing attempts record of 691 set by Drew Bledsoe by 20 passes.

“It’d be awesome as long as those come with good performances by our team and wins,’’ Stafford said. “There’s some opportunities to do some things — I think Calvin is pretty close on pace for that Jerry Rice thing, so that would be cool. He’s the same way I am, he wants that as long as we’re playing well and winning.’’

Johnson, the man known as Megatron, was not aware that he was closing in on Rice’s record.

“I didn’t know where I stood as far as that goes. My plan is to keep on grinding like we’ve been doing,’’ Johnson said. “Since people mention it, it’s in the back of your mind. Keep on doing what I’ve been doing, if it happens it’d be great.’’

Johnson is all about winning, but still would value that record.

“Put it like this, if it was to happen it wouldn’t be hollow at all because of all the work we’ve put into it,’’ Johnson said. “It’s not like we’re coming out here dogging it every day. We put in good work, we’ve been grinding. It would be a feat if it happened.’’

Perhaps what would make it more special for Johnson is that he’s done it despite being regularly double- and triple-teamed.

“That’s another thing that makes it kind of cool. You know it makes it that much more harder and would make it that much more enjoyable,’’ said Johnson who signed an eight-year, $150.5 million contract last spring.

Center Dominic Raiola said they see the coverage on Johnson in the film room each week.

“I think he’s still the most feared receiver in football. I’d dare a team to say he’s not just because of the attention he gets each week and we see it in the film room,’’ Raiola said. “That’s allowing other guys to step up and make plays as well — all the attention he’s getting. That’s an awesome accomplishment.’’

Johnson, who was the second overall pick in the 2007 draft, has not changed. The contract didn’t do it, neither has the success he’s found on the field.

Raiola said Johnson is the same guy as when he first stepped in the locker room as a rookie.

“I think he was more shy back then, I think he’s more personable now,’’ Raiola said. “He’s the same humble guy, same guy who works hard every day, same guy in the weight room, in there at 6 a.m. There’s really nothing different.’’

Just the yardage.

Johnson was an NFL standout the last month with 32 catches for 619 yards and three touchdowns in the four November games. That’s a head-turning average of more than 19 yards per catch.

Johnson averaged 154.8 receiving yards per game in November which is the most in a single month since 1963 when Lance Alsworth posted 156.3 yards per game over a month for the Chargers, according to Randall Liu of the NFL.

That explains why Johnson is the NFC offensive player of the month.

“If there’s a better receiver in football you’d have to show me who he is,’’ Lions offensive coordinator Scott Linehan said.

Despite only having four wins, the Lions passing offense has been rated near the top of the NFL most of the season. It’s currently No. 1 averaging 312.3 yards per game.